Intraocular lenses with fixated haptics

ABSTRACT

Intraocular lenses for implanting within the natural capsular bag of the human eye having features on the outer ends or portions of the lenses to fixate the lens within the natural capsular bag following implantation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application is a continuation of my application Ser. No.09/515,723, filed Feb. 29, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,322,589, which is adivision of my application Ser. No. 08/947,113, filed Oct. 8, 1997, nowU.S. Pat. No. 6,051,024, which is a continuation-in-part of myapplication Ser. No. 08/540,040, filed Oct. 6, 1995, now abandoned, anda continuation-in-part of my application Ser. No. 08/020630, filed Feb.22, 1993, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,476,514.

In cataract surgery, the practice is to remove the cataractous naturallens and replace it with a man-made lens. The replacement lens is placedinside the natural capsular bag of the natural human lens. Suchreplacement of the natural lens by artificial intraocular lens isdiscussed in my U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,476,514 and 5,047,051.

The present invention represents improvements over my above-mentionedpatents relative to the fixation or anchoring of the lens haptics in thebag, thereby overcoming certain potential disadvantages of plate hapticlenses. My U.S. Pat. No. 5,047,051 discloses a method of fixing a hapticplate in the capsular bag by means of mini-loops at the ends of hapticanchor plates. This enables the bag to fibrose about the loops to fixthe lens in the bag.

In such procedures, plate haptic lenses without loops or fixation meanscan only be implanted in an intact capsular bag with a continuouscircular capsulotomy. Such plate haptic lenses, if placed into acapsular bag having a tear in the anterior capsular rim or posteriorcapsule, can dislocate with resultant serious complication of thesurgery.

During the healing and fibrosis process, the anterior capsule rimbecomes fused to the posterior capsule by fibrosis, and a plate hapticwith an appendage thereof is retained in position by a pocket or tunneldefined by the fibrosis about the haptic of appendage portions betweenthe anterior capsular rim and the posterior capsule.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

As discussed in the foregoing background, a haptic is retained in placeby a pocket or tunnel defined in fibrosis about haptic and appendageportions between the anterior capsular rim and the posterior capsule.

The fibrosis fuses together the anterior and posterior capsules, andsurrounds portions of a plate haptic.

Plate haptic lenses are sometimes desirable because they provide certainadvantages over long loop lenses, including stabilization of thevitreous with substantially less probability of the most seriouscomplications of cataract surgery, these being retinal detachment andcystoid macular edema. Another advantage is the consistent posteriorlocation of the optic, which not only stabilizes the vitreous, butprovides more predictable post-operative, uncorrected visual acuity. Afurther advantage is that the posterior location of the lens results intight contact of the lens with the posterior capsule, thereby resultingin reduced rate of opacification of the posterior capsule with resultantreduced posterior capsulotomy rate.

Improved accommodating intraocular lenses according t the inventioninclude a central optic having normally anterior and posterior sides andextended portions spaced circumferentially about and extending generallyradially out from the edge of the optic. These extended portions haveinner ends joined to the optic and opposite outer ends movableanteriorly and posteriorly relative to the optic.

The lens is surgically implanted in the evacuated capsular bag of thelens of an eye through the anterior capsule opening in the bag in aposition wherein the lens optic is aligned with the opening defined bythe anterior capsular remnant, and the outer ends of the lens distalportions are disposed within the outer perimeter or cul-de-sac of thebag. The lens had a radial dimension from the outer end of each distalor extended portion to the axis of the lens optic so that with the lensimplanted within the capsular bag, the outer ends of the extendedportions engage the inner perimetrical wall of the bag with no orminimal stretching of the bag.

After implantation of the accommodating intraocular lens in the capsularbag, active ectodermal cells on the posterior surface of the anteriorcapsule rim of the bag cause fusion of the rim to the elastic posteriorcapsule of the bag by fibrosis about the lens extended portions in sucha way that these portions are effectively “shrink-wrapped” by thefibrous tissue so as to form radial pockets or tunnels in the fibroustissue which contain the haptic portions with their distal endspositioned within the cul-de-sac of the capsular bag. The lens isthereby fixated within the capsular bag with the lens optic aligned withthe opening in the anterior capsule bag. The anterior capsule rimshrinks during fibrosis, and this, combined with fibrosis about theextended portions, causes some radial compression of the lens so as totend to move the optic relative to the outer ends of the extendedportions posteriorly along the optic axis. The fibrosed, leather-likeanterior capsule rim prevents antenor movement of the optic and urges itrearwardly during fibrosis. Accordingly, fibrosis induced movement ofthe optic occurs posteriorly to a distant vision position wherein eitheror both the optic and the inner ends of the extended portions pressrearwardly against and stretch the elastic posterior capsule rearwardly.

During surgery, the ciliary muscle of the eye is paralyzed with aciliary muscle relaxant, i.e., a cycloplegic, such as atropine, to placethe muscle in its relaxed state. Following surgery, a ciliary musclerelaxant is periodically introduced throughout the post-operativefibrosis healing period for as long as two days and up to three weeks tomaintain the ciliary muscle in its relaxed state until fibrosis iscomplete. This drug-induced relaxation of the ciliary muscle preventscontraction of the ciliary muscle and therefore immobilizes the capsularbag. By this means, the lens optic is fixed during fibrosis in itsdistant vision position within the eye relative to the retina and thelens presses rearwardly against and thereby posteriorly stretches theelastic posterior capsule of the capsular bag. If the ciliary muscle wasnot thus maintained in its relaxed state until the completion offibrosis, the ciliary muscle would undergo normal brain-inducedcontraction and relaxation during fibrosis, and the intraocular lenswould not necessarily fix in the distant position but in some otherlocation along the axis of the eye.

The present invention provides haptic lens features which serve tofixate the distal haptic portions of the lens, thus preventingdislocation and slipping from the proper positions in pockets or tunnelsformed over the haptic lens features by fibrosis. Enlarged and/or distalhaptic portions or protuberances are prevented by their larger dimensionfrom moving or sliding along pockets or tunnels formed by fibrosis aboutproximally inward haptic portions. The distal structural featuresprevent the haptic from sliding inwardly relative to such fibrosispockets to fixate and prevent dislocation of the intraocular lens. Theenlarged distal structural features may take such forms as:protuberances extending form one or both sides of distal portions ofplate haptics; flexible extensions extending from distal corners of lensplate haptics, which extensions may have protuberances; protuberancesextending outwardly from spring loops or filamentary loops; enlarged endportions or protuberances on distal portions of a plurality of hapticsextending from their proximal ends at an optic or plate haptic; enlargedwide distal portions of haptics tapered to widen in the distaldirection; prong protuberances extending laterally outwardly from distalportions of haptics; and notches in side edges of distal portions ofhaptics.

Other preferred embodiments of the invention include extended or distalprotuberances and/or knobs and or openings defined in distal portions ofhaptics, which serve to fixate the distal haptic portions in theperiphery of the capsular bag between the posterior bag and the anteriorcapsule remnant by the fibrosis process described in the foregoingBackground of the Invention, by the prevention of relative movement ofthe distal portions of the haptics relative to pockets of tunnels formedby fibrosis about proximately inward haptic portions. Other preferredembodiments also include flexible loop haptics extending from diskhaptic portions, knobs provided in the distal portions of a disk hapticelement and/or, openings provided in the distal portions of a diskhaptic element, and knobs and/or openings provided in the distalportions of a plurality of plate-type haptics extending from the opticto their distal edge portions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the invention,showing a plate haptic lens with enlarged protuberances at its distaledge;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken at 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of an embodiment of the invention whereinflexible extensions with protuberances extend diagonally outwardly fromdistal edges of haptic plates;

FIG. 3A is a sectional view taken at 3A-3A in FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of a haptic plate lens with spring loopsextending outwardly with enlarged portions or protuberances on theloops;

FIG. 4A is a sectional view taken at 4A-4A in FIG. 4;

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of the invention wherein a plurality ofsymmetrically tapered haptics extend from wide proximal ends joined toan optic to relatively narrow distal ends whereon protuberances aredisposed;

FIG. 5A is a sectional view taken at 5A-5A in FIG. 5;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment wherein each ofoppositely-extending haptics has a distal portion wider than inward orproximal haptic portions;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of an embodiment of the invention whereinare shown in partial views two forms of protuberances extendinglaterally outwardly from portions of oppositely extending haptics;

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of an embodiment similar to that of FIG.3, by differing in having distal cross-portions as a diagonal extensionon each corner, at each end of which is disposed a protuberance or knob;

FIG. 8A is a sectional view taken at 8A-8A in FIG. 8;

FIG. 9 is an embodiment similar in certain respects to that of FIG. 5and differing therefrom I having cross-portions extending from the endof each of symmetrically tapered haptic portions, each cross-memberhaving a knob or protuberance at each of its ends;

FIGS. 10 and 11 are related embodiments having plate-type hapticsextending in the directions from an optic, and having extendingtherefrom step portions. These step portion may have mounted knobs orprotuberances extending from their surfaces.

FIGS. 12 to 14 illustrate an embodiment wherein flexible or filamenttype loop haptics extend oppositely from an optic and having at the endof each a knob or protuberance, FIGS. 13 and 14 showing the correctmanner of engagement of the loop end portion and knob in the cul-de-sacof the capsular bag for peripheral fixation in the juncture of theposterior capsule and the anterior capsular remnant by fibrosis, andFIG. 14 showing an incorrect engagement of an improperly designed endportion of the loop haptic;

FIG. 15 shows an embodiment embodying features of the embodiment of FIG.12, and having a plurality of knobs spaced apart on oppositely extendingresilient loop haptics for improved engagement in the cul-de-sac of theperiphery between the anterior remnant and the posterior capsule;

FIGS. 16 and 16A show elevational and side views of an embodimentwherein a disk haptic element has extending therefrom a plurality offlexible loop haptics;

FIGS. 17 and 17A illustrate an elevational and side views of anembodiment wherein a disk haptic element has extending therefrom aplurality of flexible loop haptics having knobs at their outer or distalends;

FIG. 18 shows an embodiment wherein a disk haptic member has defined inits periphery a plurality of inclined or somewhat tangential prongportions having knobs or protuberances at their ends;

FIG. 19 is an embodiment having a disk haptic member with a plurality ofknobs or protuberances disposed about its distal edge portion;

FIG. 20 is an embodiment wherein a disk haptic member has a plurality ofgenerally circular openings disposed in its distal edge portions;

FIG. 21 shows an embodiment wherein a disk-shaped haptic member has aplurality of slot openings in its distal edge portion;

FIG. 22 is an embodiment wherein a disk-shaped haptic member hasalternating slot openings and knobs disposed in and on its peripheraldistal portion;

FIG. 23 shows an embodiment wherein disk haptic portions extendoutwardly from an optic and flexible loop haptic elements withprotuberances thereon extend from the edges of the disk portions ininclined directions opposite from the directions of loop haptics ofcertain other embodiments;

FIGS. 24 to 26 illustrate embodiments wherein a plurality of plate-typehaptics are spaced about an optic, FIG. 24 showing slot openings in theexisting portions of the haptics, FIG. 25 showing a plurality of knobsat the distal portion of each plate-type haptic, and FIG. 26 showingboth slot-type openings and knob in the distal portion of eachplate-type haptic;

FIGS. 27 and 28 show embodiments wherein plate-type haptics extendoppositely from an optic, only one such haptic being shown, FIG. 27showing an embodiment wherein slot-type openings are defined in thedistal edge portion of such haptic element, and FIG. 28 showing knobs orprotuberances disposed on the distal portion of said plate-type haptic;

FIG. 29 is a sectional view taken at line 29-29 in FIG. 28; and

FIG. 30 is a sectional view taken at line 30-30 in FIG. 27.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention provides distal features of haptics of intraocularlenses which serve to fixate the haptic distal portions in the peripheryor cul-de-sac between posterior capsule and anterior capsular bagremnant of the capsular bag. The fibrosis process and procedure foreffecting fibrosis about haptic portions are discussed hereinbefore inthe Background of the Invention.

It is important that distal portions of haptic means be fixated in theperiphery of the capsular bag between an anterior capsular remnant andthe posterior capsule, and that such distal portions or features notmove relative to pockets or tunnels defined by fibrosis about distalhaptic features.

With relatively constant movement of lens haptics relative to theoptics, there can be disengagement of distal haptic portions relative tothe bag periphery between the posterior bag and anterior remnant, ifadequate retention is not provided. Such disengagement of continuedoperational force can result if adequate fixation is not provided, andcan result from such factors as capsular bag shrinkage during fibrosiscausing a tear to occur in the capsular bag, thus possibly resulting inlens dislocation and the haptic being then positioned in the vitreous inthe posterior portion of the eye, with serious complications.

The embodiment of the present invention herein described provide distalhaptic features which prevent dislocation of haptics by slipping orshifting of distal haptic portions or features relative to fibrosispockets or tunnels wherein distally inward portions of the haptics aredisposed.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, a preferredembodiment 10 has a distal portion of a plate haptic 12 withprotuberances 14 thereon. The sectional view of FIG. 2 shows theconfiguration of the protuberances which extend from both sides ofhaptic 12. A protuberance may extend from only one side or surface ofthe haptic. The protuberances will not pass or slide through a fibrosistunnel or pocket disposed about proximally adjacent smaller dimensionedportions of the haptic. The haptics have a thinner portion 15,16adjacent to the optic. Each of the lenses as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4,5, 8, 9, 10, and 11 have the thinner portion of the haptic adjacent tothe optic.

FIGS. 3 and 3A illustrate an embodiment wherein flexible extensions 20extend diagonally from distal corners of lens plate haptics 22, and haveprotuberances 24 at their ends. Extensions 20 position the protuberanceslaterally and distally outwardly of the edges of the haptic, so thatthey are prevented from moving or sliding through a pocket defined byfibrosis about the proximally inward portions of the haptics. FIG. 3Ashows the cross-sectional configuration of the protuberances.

FIGS. 4 and 4A illustrate an embodiment 30 wherein protuberances 32extend outwardly from spring loops or fingers 34 which extend fromdistal portions of plate haptics 36. The protuberances 32 prevent theloop and the distal portions of the haptic plates from moving or slidingrelative to fibrosis pockets formed about the loop and distal hapticportions. FIG. 4A shows in cross-section the configuration of theprotuberances at the ends of the loops. A lens (not shown) generallysimilar to that of FIG. 4, may have a loop element attached to a hapticplate, as by fusion of adhesure, rather than being integrally formedwith the plate.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment 40 of the invention wherein a pluralityof haptics 42 are symmetrically tapered outwardly from relatively wideproximal ends joined to an optic 44 to relatively narrow distal ends orfingers whereon protuberances 46 are disposed. FIG. 5A showsprotuberance details.

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment 50, wherein each of plate haptics 52has a wider distal protuberance portions 54 than proximally adjacenthaptic portions. Distal protuberance portions of the haptics are definedby tapered haptic configurations which widen in the distal direction.The wider distal haptic portion prevents movement of the haptic towardthe optic being retained against movement relative to the pocket definedby fibrosis about the plate haptic inwardly of the distal portion.

FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment 60 of the invention wherein prongprotuberances 62, with prongs 64 with rounded ends, extend laterallyoutwardly from distal portions of plate haptics extending from an optic66. The prong protuberances 62 effectively prevent proximal movementtoward optic 66 by inward portions of the haptics relative to thefibrosis pockets formed about proximally inward portions of the haptics.

FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 to 7 illustrate embodiments of the invention whereinnotches 70 are defined in distal edge portions of plate haptics.Preferably, a notch 70 is defined in both lateral distal edge portionsof a haptic, and such notches are preferably defined in lateral edges ofthe distal portions of at least two haptics extending in differentdirections from an optic. As shown, the notch 70 typically has an edgeportion disposed at a substantial angle to or substantially transverselyof the side edge or longitudinal axis of the haptic. Such notches andedge portions are thus disposed to prevent the haptics from becomingdislocated by preventing shifting or sliding thereof relative tofibrosis pockets in which proximally inward haptic portions aredisposed.

FIGS. 8 through 30 illustrate embodiments of the invention which provideprotuberances, knobs, openings or haptic means in distal portions forfixating haptics in the periphery of the capsular bags between theposterior bags and the anterior capsular remnants.

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment somewhat similar to that of FIG. 3,wherein there extend from plate haptic portions 74, 76 extensions 78 andcross portions 80 at either end of each of which is a knob orprotuberance 82, shown in cross-section in FIG. 8A, each extendinganteriorly and posteriorly of the plate haptic portion. Theseprotuberances are well-positioned for engagement in the peripheralportion or cul-de-sac of the capsular bag between the posterior bag andanterior remnant, thus to prevent haptic movement through any tunnel orpocket defined by fibrosis about proximately inward haptic portions.

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment with a general configuration somewhat similarto FIG. 5, with transverse cross-portions 84 extending from the outerends of each symmetrically tapered haptic, and having disposed at eachend of each cross-portion a knob 85. The protuberances are well-adaptedto extend into the peripheral portion of the capsular bag betweenanterior remnant and posterior bag to fixate the haptic.

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate embodiments wherein step portions 88, 90(FIG. 10) are adapted to engage in the peripheral bag portion betweenthe anterior capsular rim and the posterior capsule, there being similarhaptic portions (not shown) at the opposite side of the optic 92. Aprotuberance or knob 94 depends from step 88 and extends anteriorly andposteriorly. The steps and the knob 94 are adapted to be engaged byfibrosis to fixate the haptic and prevent inward movement of thesecomponents. In the FIG. 11 embodiment, step 96 has on its outer endportion a knob or protuberance 98, and step 100 has depending from itsouter end portion an arm from which depends a knob or protuberances 102,the knobs of FIG. 11 serving purposes similar to those of the knob ofFIG. 10.

FIGS. 12-14 illustrate embodiments wherein flexible or filamentary loophaptics 104, 106 of generally arcuate configuration extend oppositelyfrom an optic 108. Each loop haptic has at its end a knob orprotuberance 110 somewhat similar to that shown in FIG. 8A. The loophaptics extend into the periphery of the bag between the anteriorremnant and the posterior capsule to fixate the haptics and preventmovement of the knobs through fibrosis-defined tunnels defined about theloops. FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate respectively the correct manner forthe loop haptic to be oriented to engage the bag periphery wherein aportion of the loop and the knob engage the bag periphery. FIG. 14 showsan undesirable disposition of the loop haptic and knob in the fibrosedcapsule which does not provide optimum and desirable engagement with thebag periphery.

FIG. 15 illustrates an embodiment which is similar to that of FIGS. 12and 13 except that a plurality of knobs or protuberances 110, similar tothat of FIG. 8A, are positioned in spaced relation along the loophaptics to provide improved fixation of the loop haptic in theperipheral cul-de-sac of the bag.

FIGS. 16 and 16A show an embodiment having a haptic comprising two halfdisk-shaped members 112 from which extend a plurality of loop hapticportions 114. The edge of the disk-shaped portions and the loops areadapted to fit in the peripheral portion of the bag between the capsularremnant and the posterior capsule to fixate the haptic.

FIGS. 17 and 17A illustrate an embodiment which has disk haptic portion116 on which are mounted and from which extend a plurality of filamenthaptic portions 118 of generally arcuate configuration at the end ofeach of which is disposed a knob or protuberance 120. The loop hapticportions and the knobs serve the purposes outlined relative toembodiments earlier described.

FIG. 18 is an embodiment having a disk haptic 124 wherein are integrallyformed peripheral inclined prong portions 126 extending somewhattangentially with knobs at the ends thereof adapted to fit within theperiphery of the bag between the anterior capsular remnant and theposterior bag for engagement with the periphery for the formation offibrosis thereabout for the purpose earlier described.

FIG. 19 is an embodiment having a disk haptic 130 on the periphery ofwhich are disposed a plurality of knobs 132, such as the knobs of FIG.28, to serve the purposes earlier described in relation to otherembodiments.

FIG. 20 is an embodiment having a dish haptic 134 with a plurality ofcircular openings 136 defined in its distal peripheral portion, thehaptic periphery and these openings become engaged with fibrosis toserve the purpose earlier described.

FIG. 21 shows an embodiment similar to that of FIG. 20, with slot-shapedopenings 138 defined in disk haptic 140.

FIG. 22 is somewhat similar to the embodiments of FIGS. 19 and 21, andhas slot-shaped openings 138 interspersed with knobs 140 in its diskperipheral edge portion.

FIG. 23 shows an embodiment wherein disk haptic portions 141 extendoutwardly from an optic, and extending from their distal edge portionsare a plurality of flexible loop haptic elements 143 with protuberances145 thereon for engagement in the peripheral edge portion of thecapsular bag for fixation of the haptic and centration of the optic.

FIGS. 24 and 25 show embodiments each having four plate haptics 142extending from and equispaced about an optic 144, and having defined intheir peripheral portions slot-shaped openings 145, the haptic edgeportion and the openings being extensible in the bag periphery forpurposes earlier described; the embodiment of FIG. 25 has similarlyequispaced haptics extending from an optic 148, each haptic having aplurality of knobs like those in FIG. 29 on its peripheral portion, theknobs and haptic edge portions serving the purposes earlier described.

The FIG. 26 embodiment is similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 24 and 25,with an optic 150 having four equispaced haptics 152 extendingtherefrom, each having slot-shaped openings 154 therein and a knob 156thereon.

FIGS. 27 and 28 illustrate embodiments wherein plate-type haptics extendoppositely from optic 160 in FIG. 127, and from optic 162 in FIG. 28,the FIG. 27 embodiment having a haptic with slot-shaped openings 164 inits distal portion, and the haptics (lower one not shown) of FIG. 28having a plurality of knobs 166 in its peripheral portion, the slots andthe knobs serving the purposes earlier described.

FIG. 29 is a partial sectional view taken at line 29-29 in FIG. 28, and

FIG. 30 is a partial sectional view taken at line 30-30 in FIG. 27.

Thus there have been shown and described novel intraocular lenses withfixated haptics which fulfill all the objects and advantages soughttherefor. Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses andapplications of the subject invention will, however, become apparent tothose skilled in the art after considering this specification togetherwith the accompanying drawings and claims. All such changes,modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do notdepart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to becovered by the invention which is limited only by the claims whichfollow.

1. A flexible accommodating intraocular lens designed for implantingwithin a natural capsular bag of a human eye, said lens implantcomprising: a single solid optic having anterior and posterior sides andtwo or more separate plate haptics extending from two or more parts ofthe peripheral edge of said optic, each haptic being separated fromanother haptic by part of the circumference of the optic, said hapticsbeing thinner than their width, their inner ends adjacent to said opticand outer ends extending from said optic designed to directly engage theinterior of the capsular bag, each haptic having a narrow grooveadjacent and tangential to the optic extending transversely across theplate haptics from one edge to the other thereby reducing theirthickness, said haptics being adapted to move said optic anteriorlytoward the iris and posteriorly relative to the outer ends of saidhaptics upon constriction and relaxation of the ciliary muscle of theeye, and said haptics having at least one fixation protuberanceextending from either anteriorly or posteriorly or from both surfaces ofat least one of said haptics designed to directly engage the inside ofthe capsular bag.
 2. The lens according to claim 1, wherein at least oneprotuberance extends anteriorly from said haptics.
 3. The lens accordingto claim 1, wherein at least one protuberance extends posteriorly fromsaid haptics.
 4. The lens according to claim 1, wherein at least oneprotuberance extends both anteriorly and posteriorly from said haptics.5. The lens according to claim 1, wherein at least one protuberanceextends laterally from said haptics.
 6. The lens according to claim 1,wherein lateral edges of said haptics are parallel to each other, ortapered outwardly from the optic, or tapered inwardly from the optic. 7.The lens according to claim 1, wherein the protuberances extendoutwardly from the peripheral border of said haptic.
 8. A flexibleaccommodating intraocular lens designed for implanting within a naturalcapsular bag of a human eye, said lens implant comprising: a singlesolid optic having anterior and posterior sides two or more separateplate haptics extending from two or more parts of the peripheral edge ofsaid optic and each haptic being separated from another haptic by partof the circumference of the optic, said haptics being thinner than theirwidth, their inner ends adjacent to said optic and outer ends extendingfrom said optic designed to directly engage the interior of the capsularbag, the inner ends having a narrow groove adjacent and tangential tothe optic extending transversely across the plate haptics from one edgeto the other thereby reducing their thickness, said haptics beingadapted to move said optic anteriorly toward the iris and posteriorlyrelative to the outer ends of said haptics upon construction andrelaxation of the ciliary muscle of the eye, and said haptics havingfixation protuberances extending both anteriorly and posteriorly fromsaid haptic designed to directly engage the inside of the capsular bag.9. The lens according to claim 8, wherein said haptics comprise at leasta pair of haptics both having protuberances extending both anteriorlyand posteriorly therefrom.
 10. The lens according to claim 9, whereinsaid haptics are plate haptics and each have a thinner portion adjacentthe optic.
 11. A flexible accommodating intraocular lens including aflexible optic designed to be placed within the capsular bag of the eye,the lens comprising a single solid optic with anterior and posteriorsides and two or more plate haptics extending from the optic designed todirectly engage the interior of the capsular bag, the inner ends havingnarrow grooves adjacent and tangential to the optic extendingtransversely across the plate haptics from one edge to the other therebyreducing their thickness, the haptics being thinner than their width,and having at their distal ends fixation devices such that theintraocular lens has four or more fixation points for centration andfixation directly in the periphery of the capsular bag, and the lensbeing adapted to move anteriorily toward the iris upon ciliary muscleconstriction.
 12. An accommodating intraocular lens according to claim11 wherein the fixation points comprise protuberances.
 13. Anaccommodating intraocular lens according to claim 12 wherein theprotuberances extend anteriorly and posteriorly.
 14. A flexibleaccommodating intraocular lens designed for implanting within a naturalcapsular bag of a human eye, said lens implant comprising: a singleoptic having anterior and posterior sides and two or more separate platehaptics extending from the edge of said optic, each haptic beingseparated from another haptic by part of the circumference of the optic,said haptics being thinner than their width, and having their inner endsadjacent to said optic and outer ends extending from said optic designedto engage the interior of the capsular bag, each haptic having a narrowgroove adjacent and tangential to the optic extending transverselyacross the plate haptics from one edge to the other thereby reducing thethickness, said haptics being adapted to move said optic anteriorlytoward the iris and posteriorly relative to the outer ends of saidhaptics upon constriction and relaxation of the ciliary muscle of theeye, and said haptics having at least one fixation element extendingfrom at least one surface of said haptic designed to engage the insideof the capsular bag.
 15. The lens according to claim 14, wherein atleast one fixation element extends anteriorly from said haptics.
 16. Thelens according to claim 14, wherein at least one fixation elementextends posteriorly from said haptics.
 17. The lens according to claim14, wherein at least one fixation element extends both anteriorly andposteriorly from said haptics.
 18. The lens according to claim 14,wherein at least one fixation element extends laterally from saidhaptics.
 19. The lens according to claim 14, wherein at least onefixation element extends anteriorly or posteriorly, or both anteriorlyand posteriorly from said haptics, and may have at least one otherfixation element that extends laterally from said haptics.
 20. The lensaccording to claim 14, wherein said lateral edges of said haptics areparallel to each other, or tapered outwardly from the optic, or taperedinwardly from the optic.
 21. The lens according to claim 14, wherein thefixation elements extend outwardly from the anterior and/or posteriorsides.
 22. The lens according to claim 14, wherein the fixation elementsextend outwardly from the peripheral border of said haptic.
 23. Aflexible accommodating intraocular lens designed for implanting within anatural capsular bag of a human eye, said lens implant comprising: asingle solid optic having anterior and posterior sides and two or moreseparate plate haptics extending from two or more parts of theperipheral edge of said optic, each haptic being separated from anotherhaptic by part of the circumference of the optic, said haptics beingthinner than their width and having inner ends adjacent to said opticand outer ends extending from said optic designed to engage the interiorof the capsular bag, the inner ends each having a narrow groove adjacentand tangential to the optic extending transversely across the platehaptics from one edge to the other, said haptics being adapted to movesaid optic anteriorly toward the iris and posteriorly relative to theouter ends of said haptics upon construction and relaxation of theciliary muscle of the eye, and said haptics having fixation elementsextending both anteriorly and posteriorly from said haptic designed toengage the inside of the capsular bag.
 24. The lens according to claim23, wherein said haptics comprise at least a pair of haptics both havinga fixation element extending both anteriorly and posteriorly therefrom.25. The lens according to claim 24, wherein said haptics are platehaptics and each has a thinner portion adjacent the optic.
 26. Aflexible accommodating intraocular lens including a flexible solid opticto be placed within the capsular bag of the eye, the lens comprising anoptic with anterior and posterior sides and two or more extendingportions from the optic designed to engage the capsular bag, the innerends having a thinner portion adjacent and tangential to the opticextending transversely across the extending portions from one edge tothe other, the extending portions being thinner than their width, eachextending portion being separated from another extending portion by partof the circumference of the optic, and the inner ends each having anarrow groove adjacent and tangential to the optic extendingtransversely across the extending portions from one edge to the other,the extending portions having at their distal ends fixation elementssuch that the intraocular lens has four or more fixation elements forcentration and fixation directly in the periphery of the capsular bag,and the lens being adapted to move anteriorily toward the iris uponciliary muscle construction.
 27. An accommodating intraocular lensaccording to claim 26 wherein the extending portions comprise haptics.28. An accommodating intraocular lens according to claim 26 wherein thefixation elements comprise protuberances.
 29. An accommodatingintraocular lens according to claim 28 wherein the fixation elementsextend anteriorly and posteriorly.
 30. A flexible accommodatingintraocular lens designed for implanting within a natural capsular bagof a human eye, said lens implant comprising: a single biconvex solidoptic having anterior and posterior sides and two or more separate platehaptics extending from the edge of said optic, each haptic beingseparated from another haptic by part of the circumference of the optic,said haptics being thinner than their width, having their inner endsadjacent to said optic and outer ends extending from said optic designedto engage the interior of the capsular bag, each haptic having a narrowgroove adjacent and tangential to the optic extending transverselyacross the plate haptics from one edge to the other thereby reducingtheir thickness, said haptics being adapted to move said opticanteriorly toward the iris and posteriorly relative to the outer ends ofsaid haptics upon constriction and relaxation of the ciliary muscle ofthe eye, and said haptics having at least one fixation element extendingfrom at least one surface of each haptic designed to engage the insideof the capsular bag.
 31. The lens according to claim 30, wherein atleast one fixation element extends anteriorly from said haptics.
 32. Thelens according to claim 30, wherein at least one fixation elementextends posteriorly from said haptics.
 33. The lens according to claim30, wherein at least one fixation element extends both anteriorly andposteriorly from said haptics.
 34. The lens according to claim 30,wherein at least one fixation element extends laterally from saidhaptics.
 35. The lens according to claim 30, wherein at least onefixation element extends anteriorly or posteriorly, or both anteriorlyand posteriorly from said haptics, and may have at least one otherfixation element that extends laterally from said haptics.
 36. The lensaccording to claim 35, wherein said lateral edges of the haptics areparallel to each other, or tapered outwardly from the optic, or taperedinwardly from the optic.
 37. The lens according to claim 35, wherein thefixation elements have knob end portions.
 38. A flexible accommodatingintraocular lens designed for implanting within a natural capsular bagof a human eye, said lens implant comprising: a single solid optichaving anterior and posterior sides and two or more separate platehaptics extending from two or more parts of the peripheral edge of saidoptic, each haptic being separated from another haptic by part of thecircumference of the optic, said haptics being thinner than their width,having their inner ends adjacent to said optic and outer ends extendingfrom said optic designed to engage the interior of the capsular bag, theinner ends having a narrow groove adjacent and tangential to the opticextending transversely across the plate haptics from one edge to theother thereby reducing their thickness, said haptics being adapted tomove said optic anteriorly toward the iris and posteriorly relative tothe outer ends of said haptics upon construction and relaxation of theciliary muscle of the eye, and each of said haptics having fixationelements extending anteriorly and or posteriorly from said haptics anddesigned to engage the inside of the capsular bag.